'Filthy' ATM move sees $500 'stolen' from Aussie girl's account
The family were just metres away when the 'opportunistic predator' struck, leaving the 12-year-old devastated.
A furious mum has lashed out at an alleged thief who she claims stole $500 from her daughter's bank account as they stood just metres away.
Catherine Pacey and Poppy, 12, were at an ATM on Aplin St in Cairns on Sunday, depositing money into Poppy's new bank account when a slight distraction caused the pair to step away, leaving their card behind. In that brief moment, Ms Pacey claims an "opportunistic predator swooped in" and carried out the "filthy" act having seen their previous transaction.
"I was absolutely devastated for Poppy and horrified to think after the event that someone had been watching the whole time we were at the ATM," she told Yahoo News Australia. "It's a harsh experience for anyone, let alone a young person."
Two minutes after depositing money at the St George ATM on the busy esplanade, the Queensland mum was allegedly told by a bank representative that a transaction was made, with $500 cleared from the account. Ms Pacey claims it wasn't them and they'd only just deposited $125, so in her view, there was only one explanation.
"My understanding is that after the deposit slip was received the ATM screen would have asked 'would you like to complete another transaction', at which point the thief drew the maximum daily amount," she explained.
While she doesn't have proof, police have been notified and confirmed to Yahoo News they are investigating. Westpac Group, St George bank's parenting company, is also looking into it, they confirmed.
Meanwhile, Poppy has been left "gutted" by the situation. Ms Pacey said her daughter had been saving all her money with plans to "buy a house or go to Japan" and this was the first time she'd made a bank deposit on her own, with the help of mum.
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"Pops completed the deposit and received the deposit slip. She was pretty excited because she had now saved over $800," she explained. "Our friend and her daughter called out to us, we turned to say hello and chatted another 15mins or so before walking back to the car."
Moment mum and daughter realise mistake
At first, Poppy and her mum hadn't realised that she'd left behind the card in the machine. It was only when Poppy offered to pay for brunch that she realised it was missing. The pair rushed back to the ATM to see if it was dropped, or in the machine, but it was only after calling the bank they realised what had happened.
"We were asked by St George what the last transaction we made was, and we said a deposit of $125. The poor lady nearly choked and asked if there were any other transactions," Ms Pacey explained.
"We replied no, and then she let us know that two minutes after the deposit was made, someone drew out $500 from the account. We were standing right there at the ATM as this was happening. Completely unaware."
The furious mum said while both police and the bank have been helpful she suspects her daughter won't get her money back.
"I am sure this is not just downright theft, but it's an act of fraud," she said. "At the end of the day Poppy nor myself authorised the thieving scum bag to withdraw money from her account."
Cairns locals rage over 'awful' act
Following the incident, Ms Pacey took to Facebook with a furious post aimed at the alleged thief.
"To the filthy opportunistic scum bag that stole 500 dollars from my kid's bank account this morning, as she was making a deposit. Saint George ATM on Aplin st, I hope you rot," she wrote on the community page. "We will be requesting your image be given to the police for theft. Yes, the card has been cancelled."
The alleged act had some Cairns locals riled up, with one saying it's "very sick stealing from kids".
"That’s just awful," another hit out.
Offering some reassurance, many said the alleged thief "should be easy to identify" given the timing of the transition.
"If [the] thief performed a transaction straight after from their own account, they should be able to identify the person," one said. "Hopefully they did," they added. "Seems like they would be stupid enough since they stole from a place that is constantly monitored."
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